Hydro power generation grows after two-years
CHANDIGARH: Hydro power generation in the country posted a marginal growth of under a percent in FY 17 after two-years of consecutive dip in FY 16 and FY 15 over the respective corresponding period. This year the CEA has fixed a target of 141 billion units of hydro power generation, an increase of 15.6 per cent over the last financial year.
The water based renewable energy generation stood at 122.3 billion units in FY 17 compared to 121.3 billion units in FY16 primarily due to better precipitation in the country. The generation has been affected by scanty and scattered rains in the last few years in the country. The generation witnessed an increase of 0.77 per cent in FY 17 after it dropped by 6% in FY 16 and 4% in FY15 compared to the respective corresponding period.
Primarily, drought like conditions in South and low water level in reservoirs has affected the generation in the last fiscal. It has reduced availability of low cost power to states like Punjab and Haryana.
The hydro generation missed the target of 134 billion units set by the Central Electricity Authority for FY17. The two-largest hydro power companies SJVN Limited and NHPC Limited surpassed the target set by the CEA by 4.8% and 2 % in the last financial year. But the less rains during monsoon in FY 17 to 3 per cent and 2 per cent lower generation in SJVNL and NHPC Limited compared to FY16.
“This year the installed capacity is expected to rise with commission of new hydro projects,” a senior official of Central Electricity Authority said. “The generation was affected in the last financial year as water level was depleted in reservoirs due to less rains,” he said. The officials in CEA maintain that achievement of generation target relies heavily on monsoon.
Two public sector utilities bucked the downtrend namely North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and National Thermal Power Corporation that posted 16 per cent and 39 per cent increase in generation respectively over the last year. While NEEPCO gains from capacity addition and adequate rainfall in North East, the NTPC 800 mw reservoir based project in Himachal Pradesh was not affected by the climate.
Among better performing projects, Tata Power’s Bhira hydro projects (two projects of 150 MW each) buttressed 15.2 % overall increase in generation for the largest integrated power company.
Another independent power producer JSW Energy’s 300 MW Baspa project also recorded higher generation in FY 17 compared to corresponding period.
The generation decreased by 10.5 per cent in BBMB projects, primarily an irrigation project, over FY 16 but surpassed the target by 11 per cent set by the CEA.
The water based renewable energy generation stood at 122.3 billion units in FY 17 compared to 121.3 billion units in FY16 primarily due to better precipitation in the country. The generation has been affected by scanty and scattered rains in the last few years in the country. The generation witnessed an increase of 0.77 per cent in FY 17 after it dropped by 6% in FY 16 and 4% in FY15 compared to the respective corresponding period.
Primarily, drought like conditions in South and low water level in reservoirs has affected the generation in the last fiscal. It has reduced availability of low cost power to states like Punjab and Haryana.
The hydro generation missed the target of 134 billion units set by the Central Electricity Authority for FY17. The two-largest hydro power companies SJVN Limited and NHPC Limited surpassed the target set by the CEA by 4.8% and 2 % in the last financial year. But the less rains during monsoon in FY 17 to 3 per cent and 2 per cent lower generation in SJVNL and NHPC Limited compared to FY16.
“This year the installed capacity is expected to rise with commission of new hydro projects,” a senior official of Central Electricity Authority said. “The generation was affected in the last financial year as water level was depleted in reservoirs due to less rains,” he said. The officials in CEA maintain that achievement of generation target relies heavily on monsoon.
Two public sector utilities bucked the downtrend namely North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and National Thermal Power Corporation that posted 16 per cent and 39 per cent increase in generation respectively over the last year. While NEEPCO gains from capacity addition and adequate rainfall in North East, the NTPC 800 mw reservoir based project in Himachal Pradesh was not affected by the climate.
Among better performing projects, Tata Power’s Bhira hydro projects (two projects of 150 MW each) buttressed 15.2 % overall increase in generation for the largest integrated power company.
Another independent power producer JSW Energy’s 300 MW Baspa project also recorded higher generation in FY 17 compared to corresponding period.
The generation decreased by 10.5 per cent in BBMB projects, primarily an irrigation project, over FY 16 but surpassed the target by 11 per cent set by the CEA.
